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> Will shorting a lithium ion battery cause an explosion?

Chain Reaction: The release of flammable gases can lead to a chain reaction, where the heat generated by the short circuit causes even more heat, which in turn generates more gases. This cycle continues to escalate the temperature and pressure within the battery.

The critical temperature depends on the cell chemistry, and the time to reach this depends on the electrical effective series resistance (ESR) and thus internal power generated V^2/ESR, thermal resistance.

If you see rapid outgassing, it is possible that the critical point has been reached unless there is a protection fuse.